What the Milwaukee Bucks should do with each impending free agent

What should the Milwaukee Bucks do with Wesley Matthews this offseason?

In a year where the Milwaukee Bucks made some puzzling moves, signing Wesley Matthews in December was not among them. The guard came aboard via a non-guaranteed deal and earned his spot on the roster due to his reputable defense and fantastic shooting. Matthews eventually worked his way up to being a full-time starter late in the season and into the postseason as the veteran played a pivotal role in Milwaukee’s success prior to their second round exit. As for what the future may hold, Matthews told the media during his exit interview that he would like to be back with the Bucks next season, and they should feel the same. While he is not the Matthews of old, the 35-year-old showed that he could still play at a high level in the right role this season, and he could be a useful piece for the Bucks next season. Furthermore, he will not command much on the market, which is significant for a team like the Bucks with limited financial flexibility.

What should the Milwaukee Bucks do with Serge Ibaka this offseason?

At this point in time, it would be surprising to see Serge Ibaka back with the Bucks next season, as his tenure with the team did not quite go as expected. After coming over at the trade deadline, the center played great early on, but he was quickly booted from the rotation once Brook Lopez came back from a lengthy rehab, and he scarcely played down the stretch of the season. Ibaka played a mere 22 minutes in Milwaukee’s playoff run, which had to have been frustrating for a player of his caliber. Set to hit unrestricted free agency, the big man will likely seek out an opportunity where he will have a prominent role rather than being a third-string center. Yet, despite all of that, the door should not be entirely closed on a return to the Bucks, as Bobby Portis’ future could have massive implications on this. Portis, who will be discussed in a moment, has a player option this offseason, and if he were to leave Milwaukee, the Bucks would need a new backup center. Ibaka would be an obvious choice to fill that role, given his familiarity with the team and the vacancy that would have hypothetically opened up. However, right now, there is no clear-cut indication of what will happen with Portis and his player option, so Ibaka leaving seems like the most logical outcome right now.